14. My 10 Favorite Races

"I'm very much a 'fall down eight times, get up nine' kinda girlie. I fall down a lot! I have a lot of mishaps. Races don't always go the best for me. I'm still working on a few things. It was just nice to have this moment where everything came together." Last year, professional athlete Heather MacLean became a breakout star. The Team New Balance Boston athlete made her first Olympic team — every professional runner's dream. But with the ultimate high of getting to represent Team USA also came emotional lows. In this candid conversation, Heather talks about the pressure and expectations she felt heading into last year's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, and about the not-so-glamorous side of running for a living. She also talks about the post-Tokyo comedown and how she dealt with it. Then, we talk all things 2022: Heather's highlight reel, her first U.S. National title, and her first sub-4:00 1500m race in Monaco. Plus, setting boundaries, how to protect your space, and how to go through life as a people-pleaser who is friends with everyone. SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness. What you'll get on this episode: Heather recaps her trip to Hawaii for the Kalakaua Merrie Mile (5:55) Where Heather falls on the introvert vs. extrovert scale (9:00) Heather reflects on the summer of 2021, including the pressure and stress she felt heading into the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (11:00) How it feels to be left off the pre-race prediction lists (19:30) Heather's experience with the post-Olympics blues (27:00) Heather shares her 2022 highlight reel (38:40) Heather and Allie Wilson's adventures in Monaco (41:55) Heather talks about winning her first U.S. National title, and what it meant to trust herself during a race (54:25) What Heather is looking forward to in 2023 (1:04:50) For more, check out: Allie Wilson on Episode 469 of the Ali on the Run Show Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain Follow Heather: Instagram @Heather_MacLean31 Twitter @heathair31 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

23 Dec 20221h 10min

"I went all-in. So if I failed, I could say I tried everything." Anoush Arakelian is a full-time director of product marketing, a running coach, and a coach at MYSTRYDE in her hometown of Boston, MA. And as of a few weeks ago, she's a 3:07 marathoner. ("I think I'm still processing that that's my new time," she says.) Anoush ran a four-minute personal best at the California International Marathon earlier this month. Her first marathon, in 2014, was a 3:55. Now, 13 marathons later, she's learned a bit about running 26.2 miles. In this conversation, Anoush talks about what it has taken to slowly chip away at her marathon time, reflecting on the personal bests and personal worsts along the way. (Reminder: The road to that oh-so-rewarding finish line isn't always linear!) SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend: Register today for the marathon, half marathon, 5K, and youth races, taking place February 25–26, 2023. Use code ONTHERUN for 10% off your race registration! What you'll get on this episode: How Anoush is feeling post-CIM (2:20) What Anoush's first marathon experience was like (4:15) How Anoush's relationship with running data has evolved over the years, and what her first experience working with a coach was like (13:20) Why Anoush decided to run CIM, and how she was feeling heading into training (19:10) How Anoush was feeling a few weeks out from race day (29:15) How Anoush has changed as a runner since her previous attempts at going sub-3:10 (34:30) All about Anoush's experience running the 2022 California International Marathon (47:15) The moment when Anoush knew her goal was within reach (57:00) What's next for Anoush? (1:06:00) Anoush's coaching advice for aspiring spring marathoners (1:07:30) Anoush's highlight — and lowlight — reel from 2022 (1:09:25) For more from Anoush, check out her previous appearances on the Ali on the Run Show: Everything You Need to Know About the New York City Marathon Live at the 2022 Boston Marathon with Anoush Arakelian and Emily Saul Girl Talk with Molly Seidel and Anoush Arakelian Follow Anoush: Instagram @noushy14 Twitter @AArakelian14 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

21 Dec 20221h 16min

"The biggest takeaway is that I'm having fun. That is a huge thing! I forgot what it was like to just have fun with it and be playful and enjoy the ride." Maegan Krifchin, a professional runner for Atlanta Track Club Elite, had a big goal for this fall: run a personal best at the TCS New York City Marathon. She put all of her running eggs in that basket, training hard with that NYCM plan in mind. But come race day, things didn't go as planned at all. Maegan ran a 2:40:52, which was well off her goal time. She wasn't just unsatisfied — she wanted more, and she wanted it immediately. And so, Maegan decided to run the Philadelphia Marathon, just two weeks later. This time, things went much better. She ran 2:31:41, finishing in second place. Still, though, Maegan wanted more. And so, two weeks after that, she decided to head west in pursuit of a personal best. This time, Maegan lined up at the California International Marathon, where she got her day: She ran 2:29:21. A personal best. In this conversation, Maegan talks about how she managed to run three fall marathons without getting injured, and how she got faster each time. Plus, how she has stayed mentally sharp and strong, and her advice for staying in the race when the running gets tough. SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to learn all about the conversations New Balance is having to promote mental wellness. Follow Maegan: Instagram @mkrifchin Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

16 Dec 20221h 5min

"It was just that moment in time where somebody saw something and wanted to help me and give back. And I try to do that with other people, too, because if I hadn't been in that situation, I don't know what I'd be doing now." Imagine getting to travel the world, attending major marathon race weekends and helping share the stories of the athletes, the races, and the people who make these events so special. That's the reality for Lorna Campbell, as the Head of Communications for Abbott World Marathon Majors, the race series comprised of the New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, London Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and Berlin Marathon. In this conversation, Lorna — who is originally from Scotland, lives in Rhode Island, and has a very cute story of how she met her husband at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics — talks about how she got this job, what her role entails, and all the jobs she had in various sports before making her way to the running industry. Plus, her reflections on her first year of motherhood (she's mom to one-year-old Harris), her feelings on the allure of the six-star challenge, and her take on the state of the running industry and running community right now. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Use code ONTHERUN10 for $10 off your registration for this year's races, taking place April 22–23. What you'll get on this episode: Lorna reflects on her first year of motherhood, and life as a newlywed (3:30) The very sweet story of how Lorna met her now-husband at the Olympics (7:45) What young Lorna was like, and how her childhood shaped her future (9:50) Lorna shares her career highlight reel (16:45) Who's in Lorna's village? (19:50) How Lorna got her job as head of communications with Abbott World Marathon Majors (24:00) What Lorna's job entails on the day to day, and during race weekends (29:00) All about the World Marathon Majors six-star challenge, and how it's evolved during Lorna's time with the organization (35:40) How Lorna found running and became a runner — and why she still has a hard time calling herself a runner (42:50) How Lorna's relationship with running has changed since having her son (48:00) Which of the six World Marathon Majors Lorna would most like to run (56:55) Lorna's take on the state of the running industry and running community right now (1:00:45) Follow Lorna: Instagram @lornasportelle Twitter @LornaC1982 Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

15 Dec 20221h 18min

"Those were the darkest and hardest days of my life, and the biggest thing that I would do differently is I would ask for help. Instead, I hid, I locked that apartment door, and I wouldn't let anyone see me." Last week, in honor of Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week, I talked about living with these diseases for the past 30 years. (Listen to that episode here.) Now, I'm wrapping things up by talking about running with Crohn's disease, navigating the emotional and mental sides of this disease (trigger warning here: lots of talk of depression and being in a really low, dark place), and how to support the people in your life living with a chronic illness. Plus, my hotel lobby hack (that rarely works, but I always try!), my fear of trail cams and small-town Facebook groups, and so much more. SPONSORS: goodr: Click here for free shipping on your next goodr order! Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend: Register today for the marathon, half marathon, 5K, and youth races, taking place February 25–26, 2023. Use code ONTHERUN for 10% off your race registration! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

9 Dec 20221h 4min

"Seeing the best part of humanity, everyone out there cheering... Thousands of people just there to help you finish this race. To me, that was so inspiring. We're inundated today with negative news stories and stuff that goes wrong and the bad side of humanity. This, to me, was pure good." Claire Holt is an Australian-American actress who has starred in shows including The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Pretty Little Liars. And last month, this busy mom of two added something new to her list of accomplishments: marathoner! In this episode, Claire talks about how she got into running, why she wanted to run the 2022 New York City Marathon, and why she decided to do it now, with two young children (ages 2 and 3, just 17 months apart!), one of which was going through a sleep regression during the bulk of Claire's training. She talks about working with a coach, about her biggest pre-race fear (hint: it's oh so relatable), and about what she did to stay calm during the race. Plus, the tough parts of the race (shout-out to mile 24), the highlights, and everything in between. SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon: Click here to register for these races — taking place March 5, 2023 — today! What you'll get on this episode: How Claire is feeling, one month after running her first marathon (1:50) Claire's most vivid memories from the 2022 New York City Marathon (4:30) How Claire became a runner (6:30) Why Claire wanted to run a marathon, and why now? (10:45) Why Claire ran to raise money for the Boston Children's Hospital (14:20) What Claire's marathon training was like (17:10) Who is in Claire's village, and how she was feeling on race day (25:35) All about the race! (32:00) The post-race experience (45:45) How training for a marathon changed Claire's life (51:45) Follow Claire: Instagram @claireholt Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

8 Dec 20221h 3min

"It's like someone has a hand mixer — what you would use to make brownies — on low at all times. And then without warning, they turn it up to high. That's what it feels like in my stomach." This year marks 30 years of living with Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed with this inflammatory bowel disease (sexy stuff!) when I was 7, and in my twenties, that diagnosis was upgraded to Crohn's-colitis. (Overachiever alert!) Today, in honor of Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week (December 1–7), I'm talking all about my history with IBD and about living with a chronic illness. (Reminder: I'm not a doctor! This is all about my personal, lived experience with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.) SPONSORS: goodr. Click here for free shipping on your next goodr order! St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Use code ONTHERUN10 for $10 off your registration for this year's races, taking place April 22–23. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

2 Dec 202257min

"How awesome would it be to spend all day talking to people? That's all I want in life." Get in your time machine, friends: We're going back to January 2018. Today on the Ali on the Run Show, I'm re-releasing "Episode 57." I didn't realize it at the time, but this was a pivotal conversation for me. I recorded it at 10 PM with my husband, Brian. I was in a tough place then. I wasn't fulfilled. I was floundering. The Ali on the Run Show was my hobby while I was freelance writing full-time. I was struggling to move on from my past dreams, and couldn't quite articulate what I wanted to do next. This conversation — which was hard to have, and really scary to put out into the world — helped. I cried. Multiple times. I was scared. Scared of failure, whatever that meant. And scared to admit that I was scared. (And definitely scared of what the response to this episode would be, which was overwhelmingly wonderful.) I didn't know what success meant to me, but I was able to pinpoint one thing: I wanted to spend more time talking to people. (Five years later: Check!) I revisited this episode as a reminder to myself, as I start planning for 2023: It hasn't always been live shows, race announcing, and World Championships! It hasn't been easy! So whether you're hearing "Episode 57" for the first time today, or you've heard it before, maybe something will resonate with you as you navigate your own "what do I want to be when I grow up?" journey. (PS: You're doing great.) SPONSORS: UCAN: Click here and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order. Bayshore Marathon: Bookmark this link! Registration for the 2023 races, taking place on Saturday, May 27, opens on January 5. For more, check out: The "Cali on the Run" episode Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter Blog Strava SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

1 Dec 20221h 31min